Boxing Day

Boxing Day^*takes place onDecember 26^thor the following Monday if December 26^th falls on a Saturday or Sunday.

Boxing Day began in England, in the middle of the nineteenth century, under Queen Victoria. Boxing Day was a way for the upper class to give gifts of cash, or other goods, to those of the lower classes.

There seem to be two theories on the origin of Boxing Day and why it is celebrated. The first is that centuries ago, on the day after Christmas, members of the merchant class would give boxes containing food and fruit, clothing, and/or money to trades people and servants. The gifts were an expression of gratitude much like when people receive bonuses, from their employer, for a job well done, today. These gifts, given in boxes, gave the holiday its name, “Boxing Day”.

The second thought is that Boxing Day comes from the tradition of opening the alms boxes placed in churches over the Christmas season, where people would put some money during church services. Their contents were distributed amongst the poor by the clergy the day after Christmas.

Major customs:

Boxing Day Hunts. Traditionally Boxing Day was a day for fox hunting. Horse riders dressed in red and white riding gear, accompanied by a number of dogs called foxhounds chased the fox through the countryside in the hope of tiring it out. Eventually the hunters hope the fox will be so tired that the dogs will be able to catch it and kill it.

Many animal welfare campaigners object to fox hunting saying it is cruel to kill a fox in this way, while many participants view it as a crucial part of rural history in England, vital for conservation, and a method of pest control.

In November 2004, MPs voted to ban hunting with dogs in England and Wales. As from 18 February 2005 hunting with dogs became a criminal offence (although it is still legal to exercise hounds, chase a scent and flush out foxes to be shot).

Family Time. Traditionally, Boxing Day is the day when families get together. Whereas Christmas is often celebrated in the narrow family circle, Boxing Day may be the time for a larger family reunion. It is a day of watching sports and playing board games with the family. Many families will go on walks in the countryside together on this day.

Shopping. In recent times, some shops have broken from tradition and started opening on Boxing Day to start the New Year sales. Hundreds of people now spend Boxing Day morning in queues outside shops, waiting to be the first to dive for the sales racks as the doors opened.

Hunting of the Wren

It is unlucky to kill a wren on any day apart from Boxing Day. Hunting of the Wren on Boxing Day was once a popular activity in England. Groups of young boys known as “Wren boys” would hunt a wren and then tie the dead bird to the top of a pole, decorated with holly sprigs and ribbons. With blackened faces, the group would sing at houses in hopes for coins, gifts or food.

“The wren, the wren, the king of all birds

On St Stephen’s Day was caught in the furze,

We hunted him far and hunted him near

And found him under the bushes here.

Hurrah, my boys, hurrah!

Hurrah, my boys, hurrah!

Knock at the knocker and ring at the bell

And give us a copper for singing so well”.

Those that gave money to the boys would receive a feather from the wren as thanks. The collected money was then used to host a village dance. This odd ritual was not restricted to England. It was prevalent in some continental countries on Boxing Day as well as the Isle of Man, Wales and Ireland.